Cable tie style tail with improved grip

ABSTRACT

A bundling tie, disposable restraint, or other such strap fastening device comprising an elongate member having a tail at one end, a head, and a strap body therebetween. The head includes a passage therethrough for receipt of the tail and a system for locking engagement with the strap body. The tail has a hole capable of being shaped to allow an object the size of a human finger cross-section or larger to pass through for the purpose of enhancing grip on the tail such that the fastening devices can be tightly fastened more easily and without regripping. The head and the tail also permit removable holding of the tail in the head prior to locking engagement of the head with the strap body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of Invention

[0005] The present invention relates generally to bundling ties and restraining devices for use by law enforcement personnel. More particularly, the present invention relates to the improved tail design of a bundling tie style strap fastening device which permits the tail to be more firmly gripped and permits temporary retention of the tail in the head of the bundling tie or disposable restraining device while reducing the amount of material used to make either device.

[0006] 2. Prior Art

[0007] The art is replete with bundling ties, disposable restraints, and other similar strap fastening devices, but such fastenings have tail grips that require awkward regripping or tools in order to fasten them snugly, slip out of the fastening heads while being used, and are so useless after usage that the tail grips are routinely cut off.

[0008] Rifkin, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,977,145 (1961) shows a cable tie with two locking heads. The tail is pulled through both heads forming a secondary loop, allowing leverage to tighten the cable tie. This device is complex in usage and manufacture, as well as requiring more raw material to create. This design does not provide a means of temporarily holding of the cable tie tail in the locking head.

[0009] Speedie, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,697 (1981) and McCormick, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,870 (1981) show cable ties with pronounced ridges on one side of the end of the cable tie tail. This is the most common method for making a gripping surface, and while it is useful for pulling the tail through the locking head when no resistance from the objects being bundled is present, one often needs to reestablish a grip on the cable tie for better hold or use a tool suited for the final tightening of the cable tie. This design does not provide a means of temporary holding of the cable tie tail in the locking head.

[0010] Bulanda et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,334 (1980) and Swift, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,415 (1985) show a cable tie with a gripping surface of pronounced ridges on both sides the end of the cable tie tail. While this is an improvement over the gripping ridges on just one side of the cable tie, the problems of resistance to pulling from the objects being bundled and the need to reestablish a grip for stem tightening are still present. This design does not provide a means of temporary holding of the cable tie tail in the locking head.

[0011] Paradis, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,478 (1987) shows a cable tie with the end of the cable tie tail bent at an acute angle to allow for easier threading of the cable tie such that a firmer initial grip can be had on the cable tie end. This is another common cable tie feature which, when combined with a ridged gripping surface, further helps with the aforementioned resistance to bundling problem but does little to help with a very firm tightening of the cable tie. This design does not provide a means of temporary holding of the cable tie tail in the locking head.

[0012] Fortsch, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,787 (1994) shows a cable tie with a specially designed gripping surface allowing for superior grip and a means of removably holding the end of the cable tie tail in the head prior to fastening of the cable tie. While this feature does provide a means of temporarily holding the cable tie tail in the locking head and help with the aforementioned resistance to bundling problem, it does little to help with the issue of very firmly tightening the cable tie.

[0013] Parsons, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,110 (1997) shows an example of disposable restraints. The tail grips shown in these patent and others like them are similar to those of the cable ties already discussed.

[0014] Another type of cable tie is well known in the art as a mounting head cable tie. A mounting head cable tie has a hoop atop the cable tie head, fashioned to allow a nail or screw to go through it, thus supporting the cable tie and whatever the cable tie might be holding to a wall, ceiling, table, or other such surface. As an example of a mounting head cable tie I refer to General Wiring Components Ltd. of Baldwin Park, Calif. model GTM-1501. A mounting head cable tie requires more material to make than a regular cable tie of the same length and strength. A different mold or die is also required to make such a device. The present invention allows for a method of supporting loads without using more material or a different mold or die.

[0015] 3. Objects and Advantages

[0016] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide an improved tail grip for the style of tail seen in bundling ties and disposable restraints which is more easily tightened, allows for more reliable mechanization of bundling tie usage, is able to serve as a way of hanging low weight loads, provides a temporary means of holding the bundling tie tail in the locking head, and is still able to allow for some of the ribbed style gripping. Furthermore, manufacturing this invention will require minimal retooling of present machinery and can be made to use less material than the existing grips.

[0017] Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] It is an object of the present invention to provide a bundling tie or disposable restraint where the tail of the tie may be held in the head prior to locking engagement therewith.

[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bundling tie style fastening having a tail with improved gripping features to permit firmer grasping of said tail allowing said bundling tie style fastening to be snugly fastened around a group of objects more easily.

[0020] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a means of hanging a group of objects bundled by a bundling tie without using more material in the manufacturing of said bundling tie.

[0021] It is another object of the present invention to provide a means of using less material in the manufacturing of bundle tie style grips without sacrificing functionality of said grip.

[0022] It is an additional object of the present invention to require minimal and simple modification of existing bundling tie and disposable restraint manufacturing equipment in order to make the present invention.

[0023] In the efficient attainment of these and other objects, the present invention provides a bundle tie for wrapping around articles or a disposable restraint for securing the wrists or ankles of a person. The tie comprises an elongate member having a head at one end, a tail at the other end and a central strap body therebetween. The disposable restraint comprises of two elongate members each having a head at one end, a tail at the other end, and a central strap body therebetween and some device for attaching the two straps together in a secure fashion. The heads of the bundling tie and the disposable restraints include a passage therethrough for receipt of the tail. The heads and bodies include cooperative locking means for locking the bodies in the head passages. The tails include means for removably holding the tail in the head passages and a means of snugly fastening bundling ties or disposable restraints with greater ease than presently existing such devices. The tails have been designed to use less material than presently existing tails, and can be manufactured with minimal modification to existing manufacturing equipment.

[0024] Specifically shown by way of the drawings herein, the tail of the bundling tie or disposable restraint has a hole which, when made of a sufficiently plastic material, can be expanded to allow a finger to pass through such that a firm grip can be had on the tail. The hole can also compressed to allow wedging of the tail in the head of a bundling tie or disposable restraint. After the bundling tie is fully engaged, the hole can be used to hang sufficiently low weight groups of objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0025]FIG. 1 is a side plan view of an improved bundling tie of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a front plan view of an improved bundling tie of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 3 is an enlarged showing of a tail portion of bundling tie of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0028]FIG. 4 is the altered form of the finger hole shown in FIG. 3 which allows a finger to be easily placed through the finger hole.

[0029]FIG. 5 is an enlarged showing of further modification to the tail of the bundling tie of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the finger hole widened.

[0030]FIG. 6 is an enlarged showing of the usage of the tail modification shown in FIG. 5, where the finger hole is squeezed thereby holding the tail in the head of the bundling tie.

[0031]FIG. 7 shows the bundling tie of the present invention bundling a group of objects and hanging them with the finger hole by a nail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bundling tie 1 of the present invention is shown. Bundling tie 1 is typically an elongate molded plastic member which is used in a manner well known in the art, to wrap around articles or bundles of articles such as electrical wire or cable (not shown).

[0033] Bundling tie 1 has a head 3 at one end and a depending strap body 5 extending therefrom. The opposite end of the strap body 5 includes a tail 7. Strap body 5 is typically planar shaped having first and second opposed surfaces 9 and 11. Head 3 of bundling tie 1 includes a central passage 13 therethrough, which as will be more fully described hereinbelow, accommodates tail 7 and strap body 5 therein. The bundling tie 1 shown in FIG. 1 is of the type having an integrally molded barb 15 and guides 23 formed in the head passage which extends into passage 13. Bundling tie 1 also includes a longitudinally extending plurality of teeth 17 along surface 11 of strap body 5. Barb 15 includes one or more barb teeth 19 which engage strap teeth 17 to lock the strap body 5 into head 3 after it is coiled around of bundle of articles. The locking operation of strap body 5 with head 3 is well known in the bundling tie art. The guides 23 prevent the bundling tie from putting weight on the barb teeth 19 which could reduce the useful life of the bundling tie 1. Additionally, while a bundling tie having integrally molded barb 15 and strap body 5 with strap teeth 17 is shown, the present invention may also be employed with a bundling tie having an embedded metallic barb in head 3 and a smooth strap body 5.

[0034] In conventional operation, tail 7 is wrapped around a bundle of articles and inserted through the passage 13 of head 3. As the strap is pulled through the passage, strap teeth 17 engage barb teeth 19 and in a ratchet-like action, secure the strap body 5 in head 3. Tail 7 may be continually pulled using finger hole 21 to “snug-up” bundling tie 1 around a bundle of articles. Interaction of the strap teeth 17 and barb teeth 19 is such that withdrawal of the strap body through head 3 is prevented.

[0035] Referring additionally to FIGS. 3 and 4, tail 7 of bundling tie 1 is shown in more detail. Tail 7 includes a tapered, pointed extent 29 which facilitates insertion of tail 7 through the passage 13 of head 3. Two types of bundling tie style tail grip can be provided without interfering with the presence of finger hole 21: the end grips 27 provide some grip on the very tip of tail 7 and side grips 25 can go along the edge of finger hole 21. The actual shape and style of the grips preferred for usage are well known in the bundling tie art.

[0036] Given that bundling tie 1 is made from a sufficiently plastic material, after tail 7 of bundling tie 1 goes through passage 13 of head 3, the shape of finger hole 21 can be altered as is demonstrated by the contrast of FIGS. 3 and 4. This alteration will allow a finger to be placed into finger hole 21 to pull and/or “snug-up” bundling tie 1 around a bundle of articles.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, tail 7 of bundling tie 1 has a finger hole 21 with a relatively larger transverse gap, with respect to FIG. 3, between finger hole edges 33. The finger hole edges 33 protrude transversely farther than the strap body 5 of the bundling tie. Given that bundling tie 1 is made from a sufficiently plastic material, after tail 7 of bundling tie 1 goes partially through passage 13 of head 3, as shown in FIG. 6, the finger hole edges 33 will be squeezed by the longitudinal sides 31 of head 3 of bundling tie 1. The posterior 37 of finger hole edges 33 can be sloped to ease the insertion of tail 7 through passage 13 of head 3. This squeezing will cause an effective slight sheer force between longitudinal sides 31 of head 3 and finger hole edges 33, thereby preventing accidental slippage of tail 7 from head 3 when bundling tie 1 is being used. Alternatively, by providing a non-protruding section of bundling tie 1 after the protruding finger hole edges, which could consist of an extension of finger hole 21, tail 7 could be held in head 3 without relying on the sheer force. Either method provides a reversible way of putting tail 7 through head 3 of bundling tie 1 without engaging strap teeth 17.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 7, a group of objects 35 is being bundled by bundling tie 1. This bundle of objects is being supported by a finger hole 21 which is hanging on nail 37. This arrangement supposes that the finger hole 21 is strong enough to support the weight of the group of objects 35.

[0039] Note that the tails shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 can be on disposable restraints as well as the shown bundling ties.

[0040] Conclusion, Ramidicaitons, and Scope

[0041] Accordingly the reader will see that the bundling tie style tail grip of the invention provides a material saving and easily tightenable grip that also prevents accidental slippage of the tail from the head of the strap fastening device. The improved grip eliminates the need for regripping or tools to snugly fasten the strap fastening device. A minimal amount of retooling done on existing strap fastening manufacturing machines will allow the immediate and thereby cost effective manufacturing of the improved grip. The traditional style of grip involving transverse ridges along the tail can still be implemented on the present invention, without interference to its function, to add to the ease of use. The finger hole in the improved grip can also serve as a means for supporting a group of bundled objects by hanging them on a nail or similar support.

[0042] While my above description contains many specifities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example the shape of the finger hole shown in both tail grip examples was nearly elliptical. Making a dumbbell shaped hole would hold the tail securely in the head of the strap fastening device, not letting the tail move either way. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0043] Reference Numerals

[0044]1 bundling tie

[0045]3 head

[0046]5 strap body

[0047]7 tail

[0048]9 and 11 opposed surfaces of bundling tie

[0049]13 passage through head

[0050]15 barb

[0051]17 strap teeth

[0052]19 barb teeth

[0053]21 finger hole

[0054]23 guides

[0055]25 side grips

[0056]27 end grips

[0057]29 pointed extent of tail

[0058]31 longitudinal sides of bundling tie head

[0059]33 finger hole edges

[0060]35 group of objects

[0061]37 posterior of finger hole edges 

What is claimed is:
 1. A strap fastening device such as a bundling tie or disposable restraint comprising: a. an elongate member having a tail at one end, a head, and a strap body therebetween; b. said head including a passage therethrough for receipt of said tail and a system for locking engagement with said strap body; c. said tail having a hole capable of being shaped to allow an object the size of a human finger cross-section or larger to pass through for the purpose of enhancing grip on said tail such that said fastening devices can be tightly fastened more easily and without regripping.
 2. The strap fastening device of claim 1, further including a sloped entrance in said head passage in the intended plane of said tail hole to ease insertion of said tail.
 3. The strap fastening device of claim 1, further including on said tail outwardly projecting elements in the plane of said hole to provide means for hindering said tail's ability to be removed in direction opposing head and strap body engagement from said head, unless said tail is squeezed along the length and in the plane of said hole thereby shortening the effective girth of said head in the plane of said hole.
 4. The strap fastening device of claim 1, further including on said tail a region of enlarged girth in the plane of said hole to provide means for hindering said tail's ability to be removed from said head due to enhanced friction, unless said tail is squeezed along the length and in the plane of said hole thereby shortening the effective girth of said head in the plane of said hole.
 5. A method of using a strap fastening device with a hole in its tail as a means to hang said strap fastening device and anything that said fastening device may be holding.
 6. A method of using a strap fastening device with a hole in its tail as a means use less material in the manufacture of said strap fastening device. 